[Anaemia and microcytosis during thyrotoxicosis. Physiopathological discussion. 36 cases (author's transl)]

Study of 36 cases of thyrotoxicosis demonstrated the prevalence of anaemia (17 cases) and of microcytosis (26 cases). In patients with a microcytosis, serum iron was measured in 9, being found to be low in 5 of them, whilst amongst twelve 10 had anti-thyroid antibodies and anti-gastric antibodies. Atrophic gastritis was seen in the 5 patients who underwent endoscopy. Four biopsies revealed 3 cases of atrophic gastritis and one of simple gastritis. The types of anaemia seen and their mechanisms are discussed: microcytic anaemia related to disturbed iron metabolism or to its impaired intestinal absorption; normocytic anaemia; macrocytic anaemia possibly preceding pernicious anaemia. It would seem to be possible to distinguish two pathogenic categories: thyrotoxicosis reversible changes in iron metabolism, and atrophic gastritis associated with hyperthyroidis in an "auto-immune context" and which has led to the concept of "thyro-gastric" disease.